On the recordJanuary 24, 2019
I also rise to share a shutdown story from my district in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Vanessa Thomas, a resident of St. Thomas, shared a heartfelt story with me on her personal experience with the government shutdown. In 2017, less than 2 years ago, she lost her home in the two hurricanes that we had. Her home insurance is through the USDA Rural Development program. Prior to the shutdown, she did not receive homeowners insurance payments regularly. Now, with the shutdown, she is forced to use her own money to pay for materials and labor to repair her home. She has to choose between having her daughter sit out a semester in college or saving her home. This is one among many stories that are threatening residents of our country. Today, I strongly urge the President to end this shutdown now, immediately. Today, we cannot continue using Federal employees and Federal funds as pawns in a political game. ____________________
